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Forty Under 40 Class of 2006 updates

Rochester Business Journal

November 6, 2009

Alumni of Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 check in with updates on career and life. Here's a look at the Class of 2006.

Anthony Adiutori
Partner
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Position then: Associate, Underberg & Kessler
Current business role: Representing lenders in loan transactions involving industrial development agencies and the Small Business Administration. Handling complex collection and mortgage foreclosure actions, as well as construction and leasing transactions for clients. Representing lenders in residential mortgage lending transactions, including those involving construction loans. Regularly working with buyers and sellers of homes.
Age: 41
Education: B.A., Dartmouth College; J.D., Brooklyn Law School
Family: Wife, Cheryl; two daughters, 7, 5; son, 3
Residence: Brighton
Birthplace: Buffalo
What brought you to Rochester? Job offer.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Being elected a partner of Underberg & Kessler.

Michelle Ashby
President and CEO
Tipping Point Media
Position then: Same
Current business role: I manage the finances and business development of Tipping Point Media, a strategic marketing and media planning/buying firm with a 12-person team and more than 90 clients.
Age: 41
Education: B.S., Ohio University
Family: Husband, Matthew Coleman; son, 4
Residence: Webster
Birthplace: Cleveland
What brought you to Rochester? My father took a job with Xerox and our family moved here from Cleveland when I was 3.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Successfully purchasing the media division of Mason Selkowitz Marketing and transitioning the media clients and staff from that company into my own, while developing a culture that reflects my personal mission.
Surprising fact: I have come to enjoy camping.

Kevin Best
President/owner
Best Times Financial Planning
Position then: Vice president, Best Times Financial Planning
Current business role: I work with four other financial planners to bring family, business, goals and objectives together for our clients.
Age: 39
Education: B.A., SUNY Buffalo; M.S., University of Rochester
Family: Wife, Tami; three daughters, 8, 6, 5
Residence: Pittsford
Birthplace: Buffalo
What brought you to Rochester? Tami and I left Rochester to work in North Carolina. We came back three years later because of the opportunity to work with my dad and to raise our family in a place close to family.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Buying my father's business. He created such a wonderful business, and to have the ability to continue our dream of building a financial services firm that helps people meet and exceed their dreams is incredible.
Surprising fact: I lived in Finland for a year as an exchange student.

Michael Burns
Vice president, investor relations
and external reporting
Harris Interactive Inc.
Position then: Director, external reporting and compliance, Harris Interactive
Current business role: I am responsible for coordinating Harris' outreach and communication with its stockholders and overseeing the company's external reporting and technical accounting.
Age: 32
Education: B.S., St. John Fisher College
Family: Wife, Elizabeth
Residence:
Rochester
Birthplace: Long Branch, N.J.
What brought you to Rochester? My family was transferred here in 1984 for my father's job at Kodak.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: My most meaningful career accomplishment has been learning a great deal from the great people I have had the opportunity to work with.
Surprising fact: I am an avid runner and look forward to participating in a marathon sometime in 2010.

Alexander Castro
CEO
The Housing Council in the
Monroe County Area Inc.
Position then: Associate director, Housing Council
Age: 38
Education: B.S., Roberts Wesleyan College; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Residence: Brighton
Birthplace: Puerto Rico

Katelyn Dyer
Manager, client relationship marketing
Xerox Global Services North America
Xerox Corp.
Position then: Post-sale marketing manager, Xerox Global Services
Current business role: I guide innovation, retention and growth efforts for Xerox Global Services sales and operations resources and manage a global site marketing program which drives better return on investment for our clients and helps Xerox maintain consistency in how our brand is represented within existing client sites across the country.
Age: 36
Education: BBA, MBA, University of Notre Dame
Family: Husband, James
Residence: Fairport
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Receiving the 2008 Marketing Excellence Diamond Award from ITSMA, the leading marketing association for technology, communications and professional services providers. This national award emphasizes marketing innovation, program execution and business results.
Surprising fact: My maternal grandmother was one of 21 children!

Brian Eckman
Litigation counsel
Bausch & Lomb Inc.
Position then: Same
Current business role: Over the last few years, I've been principally responsible for managing the product liability litigation arising from the company's 2006 recall of its contact lens solution, MoistureLoc.
Age: 37
Education: B.A., Kansas State University; J.D., SUNY Buffalo
Family: Wife, Ashley; two sons, 3, 2
Residence: Brighton
Birthplace: West Plains, Mo.
What brought you to Rochester? I came to Rochester out of law school to work as an appellate law clerk at the 4th Department. I stayed in Rochester to work at Nixon Peabody and then Bausch & Lomb.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Helping to bring Bausch & Lomb's MoistureLoc litigation to an end.
Surprising fact: I've been learning to play the piano.

Kimberly Gangi
Director
Insero & Co. CPAs P.C.
Position then: Senior manager, Insero & Co.
Current business role: Director in charge of Insero's outsource group and small business marketing, firmwide scheduling for professional staff, new client assessments and providing consulting services to business owners.
Age: 39
Education: B.S., SUNY College at Geneseo
Family: Husband, Louis; daughter, 4; son, 2
Residence: Mendon
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: I have been able to continue advancing and have a fulfilling career at Insero while raising a family that includes two young children.
Surprising fact: I love to go camping with my family.

Trish Grunberg Rissone
Director, corporate real estate
One Communications Corp.
Position then: Same
Current business role: Accountable for a $45 million real estate portfolio spread across 16 states. Focus includes strategic planning, site selection, lease negotiations, facility design and maintenance, construction services and corporate travel.
Age: 38
Education: B.S., Pennsylvania State University
Family: Husband, Rob; three stepsons, 12, 10, 7
Residence: Webster
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: The designing and building of a new corporate headquarters for One Communications. We partnered with the Gutierrez Co. to design a 75,000-square-foot office that was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification and is featured as the GTX headquarters in the movie "The Company Men," coming out in 2010.
Surprising fact: I auditioned for the reality TV show "Survivor."

Mark Kovaleski
Partner
Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co. LLP
Position then: Same
Current business role: Partner in MMB's assurance department. Oversee services to a variety of clients and industries including financial service companies, automobile dealerships, manufacturing and professional service companies. Member of the firm's recruiting, marketing and personnel committees and the management committee.
Age: 38
Education: B.S., SUNY College at Geneseo
Family: Wife, Lynn; two daughters, 11, 9; son, 5
Residence: Victor
Birthplace: New Brunswick, N.J.
What brought you to Rochester? My wife is from Rochester, and we like the quality of life.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Being named partner at MMB.
Surprising fact: I like to fish.

Gregg Lederman
CEO
Brand Integrity Inc.
Position then: Same
Current business role: Work alongside the Brand Integrity team to lead companies through the Achieving Brand Integrity program. Professional speaker doing keynotes for private companies and public conferences on the topics of leadership, culture change and employee performance. Adjunct professor at the Simon School teaching Achieving Brand Integrity methodology to second-year MBA students.
Age: 38
Education: B.S., Ithaca College; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Family: Wife, Karyn; three daughters, 9, 7, 3
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Signed by Five Star Speakers, a leading speakers bureau. They are helping me to manage the growth of my professional speaking practice. As well, the growth of my Brand Integrity team has been incredible to witness. Great people delivering great work leads to very happy clients!
Surprising fact: I really don't have attention deficit disorder.

Jody Levison-Johnson
Director, child and family service quality and system development
Coordinated Care Services Inc.
Position then: Senior associate, service quality and system development, Coordinated Care Services; co-principal investigator, Monroe County ACCESS
Current business role: Responsible for the oversight of all publicly funded mental health programs for children and families within Monroe County. Provide technical assistance and consulting support across the country in the area of child and family services and systems of care supporting human services planning, implementation and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Age: 39
Education: B.A., University of Rochester; MSW, Syracuse University
Family: Husband, Michael
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Binghamton
What brought you to Rochester? I moved to Rochester at age 6 months with my parents, who were originally from here.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Co-authoring and being awarded the $9 million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to transform the child-serving systems and develop an integrated system of care in Monroe County.
Surprising fact: My ambition has been driven by an unsuccessful bid for class president in third grade against someone who was subsequently impeached.

Thomas McDonough
Executive vice president of sales
Zeller Corp.
Position then: Vice president of sales, Zeller
Current business role: Responsible for profit and loss for Zeller. This includes new product and account development to increase overall business activity for the corporation.
Age: 42
Education: B.S., St. John Fisher College
Family: Wife, Kirsten; three daughters, 9, 8, 5
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Fairless Hills, Pa.
What brought you to Rochester? My father relocated for a job before I was 1.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Becoming a majority owner of Zeller.
Surprising fact: I love to cook.

Franklyn Reynolds
Director, supply chain
materials management
Energy East
Position then: Same
Current business role: I am responsible for all aspects of the supply chain materials management function, including material planning strategy, inventory control and logistics across the Energy East operating companies, Rochester Gas and Electric, New York State Electric & Gas, Central Maine Power, Connecticut Natural Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas and the Berkshire Gas Co.
Age: 42
Education: B.S.I.T., Central Connecticut State University; MBA, University of New Haven, Conn.
Family: Wife, Wendy; daughter, 6
Residence: Fairport
Birthplace: Mandeville, Jamaica
What brought you to Rochester? I transferred from our utilities in Connecticut to take on a broader role at Energy East.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: I am proud of what I've been able to accomplish in my profession and my career as a military officer. I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve the community through various organizations.
Surprising fact: I love to (try to) cook!

Nelson Rivera
Chief information officer,
director of information services
Monroe County
Position then: Same
Current business role: Responsible for direction, planning and organization of Monroe County's information services department. Manage the development, implementation and support of technology strategies, solutions and systems to meet the needs of Monroe County government and those whom it serves.
Age: 33
Education: B.S., Clarkson University; M.S., Rochester Institute of Technology
Family: Wife, Sarah; two daughters, 8, 1; son, 5
Residence: Hilton
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Upgrading and modernizing Monroe County's IT infrastructure, which included the development of the county's nationally recognized Web site to better serve its citizens.
Surprising fact: I've served as a Rochester Red Wings chaplain for 10 years and been able to work with current and former professional baseball players in the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins organizations.

Gary Schwingel
Chief financial officer and treasurer
Genesee Regional Bank
Position then: Same
Current business role: Member of senior management team setting the strategic direction for GRB. Responsible for all accounting, treasury management, budgeting, capital management and regulatory reporting.
Age: 42
Education: B.S., E. Philip Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology
Family: Wife, Kathy; son, 15
Residence: Penfield
Birthplace: Dansville
What brought you to Rochester? College
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Being part of a great team that is building GRB into Rochester's community bank.

Salley Thornton
Vice president of marketing
Toshiba Business Solutions
Position then: Marketing director, Toshiba Business Solutions-New York
Current business role: Work with local representatives to design and implement comprehensive marketing/communication plans for all Toshiba Business Solutions subsidiaries nationwide, from advertising to community sponsorships, e-blasts to direct mail.
Age: 42
Education: B.A., Mount Union College
Family: Husband, T.C. Pellett
Residence: West Irondequoit
Birthplace: North Hornell
What brought you to Rochester? As a farm girl from Yates County, I hardly consider myself a Rochester native, but I do identify as being a native of the Rochester region. I returned home from college and began my career in Rochester.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Developing a marketing and communications internship program at Toshiba Business Solutions that has gained the respect of local college internship directors. The program has developed into a coveted position for college students who walk away with real-life office experience, exposure to all things "marcom," and some great portfolio pieces.

James Winebrake
Professor and chairman, department of
science, technology and society/public policy
Co-director, Laboratory for Environmental Computing and Decision Making
Rochester Institute of Technology
Position then: Professor and chairman, department of science, technology and society/public policy, RIT
Current business role: Managing an academic department and a research lab at RIT. Research and teaching activities are primarily related to transportation, energy and the environment.
Age: 42
Education: B.S., Lafayette College; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Family: Wife, Susan; two sons, 16, 12; two daughters, 14, 10
Residence: Pittsford
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
What brought you to Rochester? RIT
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: There are several. I feel most rewarded when I see my former students successfully develop careers in their chosen fields, as well as when my research positively influences policy decision making.

Elizabeth Wolford
Partner
The Wolford Law Firm LLP
Current business role: Ours is a litigation firm whose attorneys handle matters in state and federal courts throughout Upstate New York. As a partner, I am responsible for handling complex commercial litigation, employment defense matters, personal injury and product liability matters, and other related litigation. Administratively, I work with my two partners in managing the firm, from finances to practice development to personnel matters. As any small-business owner can attest, you truly need to be a "Jack (or Jill) of all trades"!
Age: 42
Education: B.A., Colgate University; J.D., University of Notre Dame
Residence: Mendon
Birthplace: Buffalo
What brought you to Rochester? My parents (when I was 2 years old).
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Working with my father and brother to establish the Wolford Law Firm LLP, with an eye toward continuing to grow the firm to be one of the pre-eminent litigation firms in Upstate New York.